spring
2016
QUARTERLY
REVIEW
BUILDING
PLAN REVIEW
FIRE SAFETY
PLAN REVIEW
CONSULTING
SERVICES
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
An FSCI update from Keith Frangiamore, FSCI President
IN THIS ISSUE
1
PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE
2
LEARN FROM THE
PAST, MAKE A
DIFFERENCE TODAY
3
EMPLOYEE
SPOTLIGHT
4
SEMINAR
INFORMATION
4
LITTLE KNOWN FACTS
OUR GOAL IS TO
COMPLETE ALL PLAN
REVIEWS WITHIN
10 BUSINESS DAYS
As many of you may already know, Fire Safety Consultants founder
Jimbo Schifiliti officially retired this past October marking the end
of an era and career that spanned over four decades. Despite his
retirement, Jimbo intends to stay connected to the fire protection
community.
In his 45 plus year career in fire protection, Jimbo has made
many great friends and has impacted the lives of many through
his dedication to fire safety. Jimbo has been an active participant
in several international code and standard committees since his
career began in 1970, and has provided fire protection systems
instruction for thousands of fire and building professionals. Jimbo
is also an active member of IFSTA committees that provide training
materials for the fire service.
We recently asked Jimbo about FSCI’s early years and what
memories standout from his career. He shared the following
thoughts:
“In January 1983, I started Fire Safety Consultants, Inc., now FSCI,
as a fire protection design and plan review/inspection firm out of
my home in Schaumburg, IL. I started doing design work for Jewel
Foods, Homart Development, Sears, NWS Architects, and WMA
Engineers.
“In 1987, I had about sixteen plan review municipalities in the
Chicago area. Some of them I recall (still our clients today) were
Rolling Meadows, Niles, Hoffman Estates, Vernon Hills, Cary,
Lincolnshire, and Buffalo Grove.
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LEARN FROM THE PAST, MAKE A DIFFERENCE TODAY
By George Michehl, Fire Protection Consultant
There are no shortages of fire tragedies in America
where multiple fatalities have occurred:
• Iroquois Theater, Chicago, December 3, 1903
•Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, New York, March 25, 1911
•Cocoanut Grove Nightclub, Boston, November 28, 1942
•Our Lady of the Angels School, Chicago, December
1, 1958
•Station Night Club, West Warwick, RI, February 20, 2003
Immediately following these and other tragic fires,
changes to building, fire and life safety codes rose from
the ashes. Post fire investigations revealed dangerous
conditions affecting life safety. Code changes that
addressed these conditions were developed. These
changes have had a major impact in the reduction of
fire fatalities here in America, and across the world.
Once billed as “Fire-Proof”, the Iroquois Theater
fire resulted in 602 fatalities. Lack of fire sprinklers,
insufficient fire exits, and a faulty design of the
proscenium curtain resulted in major code changes
affecting theater occupancies. Panic bars on exit
doors that swing in the direction of egress became the
standard. Separation requirements were developed
between the stage and the crowd.
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire brought about
changes in occupant loads and how stairwell and exit
widths are calculated. The Cocoanut Grove Nightclub
fire raised awareness of the dangers associated with
flammable interior finishes and the use of revolving
doors as main entrance/exits in places of assemblies.
Overcrowding of the nightclub at the time of the fire
resulted in a heightened awareness of the importance
of not exceeding the occupant load limitations in places
of assembly.
The Our Lady of the Angels School fire sparked
changes in stairwell designs in schools including
non-combustible stairwell construction protected by
self-closing fire doors, or automatic closing fire doors
released upon activation of the fire alarm system.
Additionally, open transoms above classroom doors
designed to improve ventilation are no longer allowed.
Most recently, the Station Night Club fire brought
about changes in requirements related to automatic
fire sprinklers and the use of pyrotechnics in places of
assembly.
These examples remind us that those involved in the
code development process must continue to respond
to tragedies with responsible code changes. Equally
important to a reactive response to tragedies is the
pro-active approach to code development. Emerging
topics of discussion such as lithium battery energy
storage systems, NFPA 13R-protected buildings with
combustible exteriors, and cross laminated timber
construction will require extensive study to ensure that
the public remains safe from future fire disasters.
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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Who is Gina Giannone?
Gina Giannone has been with Fire Safety Consultants for close to
3 years. Gina works as an administrative assistant in the Illinois
corporate office. Prior to coming to FSCI, Gina worked for Zurich
Financial Services, Foresite Realty Partners and Arthur J. Gallagher.
Previously she has held positions of Global Business Management
Coordinator, Office Manager/HR Representative and Manager of
Account Services.
Gina supports many divisions within the company. Chances are very
good that if a client or contractor has received a plan review report
from the Illinois office it has been reviewed and finalized by Gina. In
addition to this work Gina is actively involved with FSCI’s Training and
Marketing teams. Gina prepares all Power Point programs for presentation, and works directly with existing and
potential clients in scheduling and coordinating details ahead of any seminar presentation dates. As a member of
FSCI’s Marketing Team, Gina prepares all materials and logistics for vendor shows and exhibits that the company
participates in, and providing input on improving marketing strategies.
Gina holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Global Business from the University of Phoenix.
Gina and her husband Charlie (a retired firefighter of more than 25 years) have one son, Bryan, currently a high
school senior, who will be heading off to University of Arizona in the fall to study Bio-Medical Engineering. Gina, a
big Cubs and Blackhawks fan, enjoys travelling with Charlie, watching Bryan’s lacrosse games, and cooking like
Rachel Ray.
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Who is Brent Gooden?
Brent Gooden has been with Fire Safety Consultants for more than
9 years. Brent works as a fire protection consultant in the Illinois
corporate office and is the liaison to the Michigan regional office.
He formerly served as the manager of the Michigan office before
moving back to Illinois with his family. Prior to coming to FSCI Brent
worked as a manager at AON.
While Brent was in Michigan he was extremely active in the many
industry groups (fire, building, and mechanical) whose members
FSCI works with on a daily basis. Back in the Illinois office Brent
continues to conduct fire protection plan reviews for the company’s
Montana clients as well as our clients from across the country. Brent
also performs field inspections for many of our clients in Illinois and
Wisconsin.
Brent serves on the company’s Marketing and Training teams. He
develops and teaches fire protection seminars nationally for FSCI.
Brent holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, NICET certification in water-based layout and fire
alarms, and is ICC certified as a fire plans examiner.
In his spare time Brent enjoys sports, running, camping and spending time with his family.
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SEMINAR
INFORMATION
Stay up to date on the latest Fire, Building and Life Safety code changes and equipment by attending one of our
seminars. FSCI is teaching seminars throughout the United States, led by our experienced staff of Matt Davis, Keith
Frangiamore, Brent Gooden, George Michehl & Warren Olsen.
Whether you are a Contractor, Architect, Technician, Engineer or an Authority Having Jurisdiction, each seminar is
full of practical insights and first-hand experiences to help you comply with applicable codes and standards. FSCI
can also provide custom seminars at your location. Be sure to check out our schedule of upcoming seminars on our
website. Contact us to learn more by emailing [email protected] or by calling our office at (847) 697-1300.
Click Here to See the Current Seminar Schedule
LITTLE KNOWN FACTS
NFPA 25, 2014 Edition
Water-based sprinkler systems are required to be
inspected, tested, and maintained annually. But, did you
know that there are specific requirements based on the
type of sprinklers installed on the system? The property
owner or designated representative shall be responsible
for properly maintaining a water-based fire protection
system. NFPA 25 requires that sprinklers be replaced, or
a representative sample be sent out and tested, at the 50
year mark and then every 10 years after that. NFPA 25
also includes specific requirements for Dry Type (pendent,
sidewall, or upright) sprinklers. The testing or replace
requirement for this type of sprinkler is at the 10 year
mark. A summary of sprinkler system inspection, testing,
and maintenance requirements can be found in Table
5.1.1.2.
Rosie Simarano – Fire Protection Consultant
NFPA 13, 2016 Edition
One of the most commonly missed, and misunderstood
sections, of NFPA 13 relates to obstructions of the
sprinkler discharge pattern. There are multiple sections
in Chapter 8 that relate to different types of sprinklers.
Obstructions are difficult to identify during the plan review
process because we are looking at a top down, two
dimensional representation of a real, three dimensional
space. Finding obstructions to sprinkler spray patterns
during a field inspection are very common. One of the
most overlooked obstruction is the mechanical hood in
commercial kitchens. The Type I hoods that the cooking
process takes place under are required to be protected
with an alternate suppression system (a wet chemical
WE’RE LISTENING!
system) and this is perfectly acceptable. What about
the Type II hoods? The hoods over enclosed pizza
ovens, warmers, and dish washing equipment are often
overlooked. Type II hoods do not require an alternate
suppression system, and almost always meet the “over
four feet” obstruction to the sprinklers spray pattern (NFPA
13 – 8.5.5.3.1). Sprinklers are required to be provided
within or under Type II hoods when the ceiling sprinklers
cannot provide protection below them.
Matt Davis – Senior Fire Protection Consultant
NFPA 13D, 2013 Edition
NFPA 13D section 7.1.1 states: “A single control valve
arranged to shut off both the domestic system and the
sprinkler system shall be installed on NFPA 13D systems
unless a separate shutoff valve for the sprinkler system is
installed in accordance with 7.1.2.”
This arrangement is meant to ensure that the sprinkler
system will not be inadvertently turned off. Having the
water to the entire residence turned off for a sprinkler
system repair will require the home owner to complete
whatever repairs are necessary to turn the sprinkler
system water back on. If there is not a separate shut off
valve for the sprinkler system, the sprinkler system will
always be operable when the water in the residence is
available for domestic use. Where a separate sprinkler
system shut off valve is installed, the residence must
comply with the monitoring requirements according to
Section 7.1.2.
Paul Sullivan, Fire Protection Consultant
Tell us what you are interested in learning about!
Email us at: [email protected]
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